Anxiety has trailed the shocking death of the former APC candidate, Audu Abubakar in the Kogi gubernatorial election as the nation awaits the candidate to fill his stead.

James Abiodun Faleke

Following the sudden death of Prince Audu Abubakar, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in last Saturday’s governorship in Kogi state, there are questions as to what happens next and who would replace the late politician in the race.

Audu, who died shortly after the elction was leading the polls with 240, 827 votes, against the 199, 514 votes polled by Governor Idris Wada, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the election as inconclusive.

The late APC candidate may likely be replaced by James Abiodun Faleke, his running mate in the gubernatorial elections but it may not be an easy ride for him.

The APC might have to conduct another round of primaries and Faleke may be put forward as one of the candidates. If he wins the primaries, he would get to contest for Kogi governorship.

Below are 10 important facts you should know about Faleke as compiled by Naij.com

  

1. He was born in Ekinrin Adde, Ijumu local government area, which is in the old Kabba province, a Yoruba speaking area of of Kogi state on December 25, 1959.

2. He attended Abdulazeez Atta Memorial College, Okene where he got his ‘O’ Level in 1979. While in school, he was the House Captain of the largest House “OHIMEGE HOUSE”.

3. He obtained Higher National Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Management with Upper Credit in 1986 from Kaduna Polytechnic in Kaduna state and he received Best Student Award. He got an MBA from the Imo state university in 2003.

4. He was in the Volleyball Team that represented the Higher Institution at the NIPOGA games in 1985 and he won several medals for the Institution.

5. Faleke did his National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) programme in Lagos state in 1986/1987 and was the Parade Commander for the entire NYSC members at his orientation camp.

6. In 1992, wrote the professional examination of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) London and passed. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration (FIPA).

7. He served as the pioneer executive secretary of Ojodu local government development area from November 2003 to April 2004.

8. In 2004, he was elected as the executive chairman of Ojodu local government development area and served for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2011. During his time as a council boss in Lagos, Abiodun Faleke was the chairman of Forum 57, a forum of LGA and LCDA bosses in Lagos State.

9. In 2011, he was elected the federal legislator representing Ikeja federal constituency in the House of Representatives and he won re-election in March 2015.

10. In December 2014 Faleke was appointed as the as the Lagos state campaign coordinator for Buhari/ Osinbajo campaign group.